South Africa ace Robin Peterson set to join Graeme Smith at Surrey

Surrey are today hopeful of announcing the signing of South African all-rounder Robin Peterson for this summer’s domestic Twenty20 competition.

Peterson, 34, was due to link up with his new team-mates and could even be involved in Surrey’s opening NatWest T20 Blast fixture, against Sussex at Hove tonight.

Peterson was a some-time team-mate of Graeme Smith, the former South Africa skipper who is now captain of Surrey, from 2002 until Smith retired earlier this year.

He has played 20 international T20 matches and has plenty of experience of playing in the shortest form around the world. He has had a stint with Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League and also plays for Cape Cobras in the South African domestic T20 tournament.

With Kevin Pietersen expected to return to the county at the end of the month after completing his spell with Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, and Irishman Kevin O’Brien back for a second year, Surrey hope they will have sufficient experience to complement the numerous young players in their squad.